Tundra Labs Opens Crowdfunding for TL448K6D-VR-Powered Tundra Tracker SteamVR Full Body Tracker
Built around Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52832 WL-CSP, the Tundra Tracker aims to bring low-cost high-accuracy full body tracking to SteamVR.
Tundra Labs has announced the first consumer hardware to boast its in-house TL448K6D-VR "Watchman" virtual reality tracking module: the Tundra Tracker for SteamVR.
Tundra Labs unveiled the TL448K6D-VR module early last year as an ultra-compact design powered by a Nordic Semiconductor nRF52832 WL-CSP and boasting a 6-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) inertial measurement unit (IMU) and connectivity for up to 32 optical sensors. "For the first time these modules offer a fully scaleable production solution to satisfy any volume," the company claimed at the time. "This scale spans from niche devices built in the 10s of units to mass market consumer devices with volumes of 100,000+."
Now, Tundra Labs has unveiled its first mainstream consumer hardware to feature the part: the Tundra Tracker, designed to offer full body tracking for Valve's SteamVR virtual reality platform.
"Against the competition, Tundra Tracker is significantly smaller and lighter than the alternatives," Tundra Labs founder Luke Beno claims. "Our prototypes weigh a mere 40 grams and we expect production devices to weigh 46g-50g. The innovative design does not include 'horns' to catch on cables and is designed with the lowest center of gravity possible to prevent 'wobble' when worn."
The company claims the tracker offers "at least" seven hours of run time per charge of its internal 805mAh battery, and comes with two mounting baseplates: one for use with shoelaces or straps, and the other with a universal 1/4 screw mount. A bundled "Super Wireless Dongle" is available in three variants, supporting up to three, five, and seven simultaneous connections each — and that includes any third-party SteamVR devices, including Valve's Index Controller, the HTC Vive Wand controllers, Vive Trackers, and Logitech's VR-Ink.
The company has turned to Kickstarter to raise funds for production, with rewards starting at $42 for an SW3 dongle, $95 for a Tundra Tracker without dongle, or $130 for a bundle including Tundra Tracker, SW3 dongle, cabling, an elastic strap for wearing the tracker on feet or elbow, and a storage case. All rewards are expected to ship in September this year.